Condenser-assembling machine



CONDENSER ASSEMBLING MACHINE Dec. 17, 1929. c. HoRToN Er AL CONDENSER ASSEMBLING MACHINE 14 sheets-shea Filed Jan. 2. 1925 rwfer,

7 5y um MQW@ 2., 1llllllhllll Dec. 17, 1929. c. HoRToN fr AL. 1,740,177

CONDENSER ASSEMBLING MACHINE Filed Jan. 2. 1925 14 Sheets-Sheet 3 BY 7M WY ATTORNEYS Dec. 17, 1929. c. HoRToN ET Al.

CONDENSER ASSEMBLING MACHINE Filed Jan. 2. 1925 14 Sheets-Sleat 4 De 17 l929. c. HoR'roN ET AL CONDENSER ASSEMBLING MACHINE Filed Jan. 2. 1925 14 Sheets-Sheet 5l Zara i BY 1 mmv Dec. 17, 1929. c, HQRTON ET AL 1,740,177

coNDENsER AssEMBLING MACHINE Filed Jan. 2. 1925 14 Sheets-Sheet 6 Dec. 17, 1929. c. HoRToN ET AL CONDENSER ASSEMBLING MACHINE Filed Jan- 2. 1925 14 She'etS-Sheet 7 Dec. 17, 1929. c. HoRToN ET AL CONDENSER ASSEMBLING MACHINE Fil'ed Jan. 2. 1925 14 Sheets-Sheet 8 Dec. 17, 1929. c. HoRToN ET AL CONDENSER ASSEMBLING MACHINE Filed Jan. 2. 1925 14 Sheets-Sheet 9 Dec. 17, 1929. c. HQRTON ET AL 1,740,177

CONDENSER AS SEMBLING MACHINE Dec. 17, 1929. c. HoRToN ET AL CONDENSER ASSEMBLING MACHINE Filed Jan. 2. 1925 14 Sheets-Sheet 11 ,O j "'lll/ll/lllllllllllll Dec.v 17, 1929. c. HoRToN E1' AL 1,740,177

CONDENSER ASSEMBLING MACHINE Filed Jan. 2, 1925 14 Sheets-Sheet 12 z5; Fg-.Z4

17, 1929. c. HoRToN ET AL 1,740,177

CONDENSER ASSEMBLING MACHINE Filed Jan. 2. 1925, 14 Sheets-Sheet 15 qf/Q Il lf"| l Dec. 17, 1929. c. HoRToN ET AL CONDENSER ASSEMBLING MACHINE Filed Jan. 2, 1925 14 Sheets-Sheet 14 f. 1 A 1, .m -IW www# 1 n c Wl.; MMM .5 1 i., m M T l. ll| MAM WMM.. i l u@ md Wm mw mmm bmw m Patented Dec. i?, 1%29 UE'EED STATES PATENT QFFICE CHARLES HORTON, OF RIDGEFIELD PARK, NEW JERSEY, HARRY R. VAN DEVENTER, F NEW YORK, N. Y., AND ANATOLE C. HEINY, OF RIDGEFIELD PARK, NEW JERSEY,

ASSXGNORS, BY DIRECT AND MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO DUBILIER CONDENSER COR- PORATION, 0F NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE CONDENSERASSEMBLNG MACHINE Application led January 2, 1925.

This invention relates to a method of automaticaily assemhl" and manufacturing eondensers. especially mica condensers.

Condensers, the method of assembling which forms the subject matter of the present invention consist e-entially sheets of electrically conductive material, such as metal oii; sheets of insulatiro' material such mica; protective covers of any suitable maial. such as hakelite, example; and metal clips and eyelets luy means of which the several parts are held togijethcr and which also serve to secure the condenser to any other appzzraius with which it may he used. In t" 's type of condenser. a plurality of sheets of mica and sheets ot toil are alternately superimposed upon one another. a sheet of mica, neit a sheet of foil, then a sheet of mica and airain a sheet of foil. and so on; with clit covers on each tace or side of the zzosite acl; so formed, and finally a metal o 'attached to each of the opposite ends of the resultant combination. Ey this means the rfaiperin'iposed layers of foil and mica are properly secured to one another 1n correct electrical relation, safely protected against injury and adequately whipped with means for conveniently connecting the condenser 1n circuit. i

Among: the ohjccts ot the present invention to provide a novel method of assembling condeiisers through automatically operating means the niethofl including the various steps oi cutting; toil. selecting mica sheets, alternately siuierimposin layers of foil upon the mica sheets. iliositioning the haltelite rovers on the partially assembled slack. af- 'ixinfg clips to the ends of the Completed stack, immersinp; the completely assembled condenser in an insulating' hath and linally drying the finished prcouct hy centrifugal means.

nother object of the invention is to provide a complete series steps from which human operation is omitted in the assembly ot condensers,

A further ohi ect to develop a co-relation oi Aegrs whereby a series of operations are simultaneously performed to produce a con- Serial No. 289.

tinuous method of putting the various parts ot the condenser together.

Yet another object is to provide a method of mechanical assembling wherein the product can be varied in size and capacity as regards the mica and foil layers, without affectingr the continuity of the process.

@ther features, capabilities and advantages of the invention will appear from the subjoined detailed description of the manner of practising this invention illustratedin the accompanying drawings, in which,

F igure 1 is a general plan view of all the devices combined in a unitary mechanism or apparatus for performing the method of assembling condensers.

Figure 2 is a vertical transverse sectional view on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a partial plan View of what is helow the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 3A shows another mechanism for the same purpose as the str/ucture illustrated in Figures 2, 3 and 4.

Figure l is a partial plan View of what appears in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a vertical longitudinal midsectional view of the mica selector and mica delivery mechanism from the selector to the central distributing turret.

Figure 5B is a partial sectional elevation ot the electric controlling means Jfor the driving4 mechanism of the central mica distributing' turret.

Figure 5C shows a modification of the structure ot Figure 5B.

Figure 6 is a plan View of What appears in Figure 5.

Figure. 7 is a plan view of one of several mica conveyors extending from the central to the outer turret.

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional View on line 8 8 of Figure 7 showing the mechanism the moment after delivery ofthe first mica sheet upon the bottom hakelite cover of a stack.

Figure 9 is a vertical sectional View of the sa me but showing the mechanism mid-way of its return movement to the central turret to receive another mica sheet for delivery to the next following stack.

Figure 10 is a right end View of the structure of Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a plan view of a press tor punching the bottom bakelite cover of a stack and delivering it to the outer turret.

Figure 12 is a vertical mid-sectional view of the same on line 12412 of Figure 11.

Figure 13 is a plan view ot one ot the punching presses for cutting the tini'oil or other electrically conductive sheets and delivering them to the stacks in the outer turret.

Figure 14 is a vertical mid-sectional view of the same en line 14-14, of Figure 13.

Figure 15 is a vertical iront view otl the stack transfer mechanism tor removing the completed stacks and delivering them to another turret to be completed.

Figure 16 is a plan view of the structure shown in Figure 15.

Figure 17 is a plan view ot the turret for delivering the stacks to the separate stackfinishing apparatuses on line 17-17 of Fig-- ure 18.

Figure 18 is a vertical mid-sectional view of the same on line 18-18 ot Figure 17.

Figure 18B is a face view of the relative positions of the two quadruple sector gears which control the attaching mechanism for the metal clips and eyelet rivets.

Figure 19 is a vertical mid-sectional view, on line 1919 of Figure 20, of the mechanism for providing the stacks with clips and eyelet rivets.

Figure 20 is a sectional plan view of the same on the line 20-20 et Figure 19.

Figure 21 is a sectional plan view on line 21-21 of Figure 19.

Figure 22 is an enlarged sectional plan view of the rivet inserter taken on line 2222 of Figure 19.

Figure 23 is a vertical mid-sectional side view et the stack riveting machine.

Figure 24 is a rear end View ot same.

Figure 25 is a top plan View of the same.

Figure 26 is a partial front end view et the same.

Figure 27 is a top plan view showing the assembly ot the composite lower riveting lever.

Figure 28 is a vertical mid-sectional view of the impregnating tank tor the immersion of the condensers atter completion. and,

Figure 29 is a vertical side view of the dryer cylinder for drying the condensers after treatment in the i ipreguating hath.

On the drawings the same nun'ierals identity the same parts throughout.

In Figure 1 there is illustrated a complete apparatus (comprising an outer turret or support 13 having pockets 14 in which the cendensers are formed; and an inner micareceiving and mica-distributing turret or support 15) tor performing a series et oper-A ating steps and thus progressively ettectiiig the complete assembly ot the condenser. To

this end there is shown a diagrammatical layout in which,

Letter A represents a device by which is performed the iirst step of progressively selecting and feeding te the apparatus the sheets of mica or other insulation ot a predeerinined thickness, the operative parts being shown detail in Figures 5 and 6. These sheets ot mica are moved by a conveyor 81 to the inner turret 15j where they are received in pockets 16, and trom the turret 15 these sheets are transferred by suitable mechanisin to the outer turret 13.

Letters D and D indicate devices for pertei-ming the steps of punching and placing respectively the lower and upper covers of insulating material, and is illustrated in detail in Figures 11 and 12. The lower covers, which are preferably pieces of bakelite insulation, are supplied by the device D. This insulation. is in the shape ot a strip 54, and this strip is ted into the device which cuts oil pieces of the right size and deposits them in the pockets 14 ot the turret 13, in succession. As the turret 18 revolves the pockets 14 are carried away from the device D. and on the covers in the pockets are placed the alternate sheets of metal foil and mica, the latter coming from the inner turret 15. When each condenser arrives at the device D it receives its top cover et' bakelite in the saine way.

Letter B represents devices hy which is performed the step of transferring and of distributing the mica sheets from the inner turret 15 upon the outer receiving turret 13. and is illustrated more in detail in Figures 4, 7. 8. 9 and 10. this transfer and distribution occurring between the devices D and D` where the bottom and top covers are supplied to the condensers.

1letter C indicates the foil punching and 'toil delivery devices. the complete apparatus thereter being shown in detail in Figures 13 ane. 14. these devices operating in conjunction with the devices B tor laying the sheets et mica and metal toil alternately on the bottom.

Letter E indicates the step of forming the stack of the condenser in alternating layers and is shown in detail in Figures 8 and 9.

liettcr F represents the revolving rin g-like body et the outer turret 13 Yt'or carrying the whole and partly formed con densers through successive necessary positions. the operation being shown in Figures 2, (i and 7.

Letter represents the device tor transferring the completed condensers to the tinishing devices own in Figures 15 and 16.

Letter ll represents the device for equipping' the cond sers with end clamps and ine: the rivets therein and is shown in is shown in detail in Figures 23 to 27 inelusive.

Letter Jrepresents a conveyor for carrying the condensers through the impregnating bath, said step being more clearly shown in Figure 28 and,

Letter K represents a device for performing the final drying step shown in Figure 29.

It should be understood that the number of devices for supplying sheets of the mica and foil to constitute a stack may be varied to suit the capacity or size of condenser desired without affecting the continuity of the process; thus, whereas in the specific example shown in the drawings there are several receptacles or pockets on the main or outlet turret which are not in operation. it may easily be seen that all the pockets might be put into use, if desired.

In the drawing Figure 1. the outer turret i 13 in the pocketsl14 of which the stacks are formed7 is made with twenty-teun' pockets. But the stack forming devices. viz. the foi] cutting devices indicated by the letter C. and the mica laying devices indicated by the letter P1, are respectively only .six and seven. ln the present instance, we shall suppose the apparatus to be arranged to make only stacks of six foils or other conductive sheets and seven mica or the like insulating sheets; one mica sheet between each pair of adjacent foils, a mica sheet between the lower cover and the foils, and another mica sheet bet veen the upper cover and the foils. The stacks can also be built of either two foils. four foils` and six foils. lf stacks of greater capacity are required. say for example. of eight foils and nine micas. the apfiaratus is then provided with eight foil cutters C and with nine mica layers B. The cover cutters D can then be removed and relocated closer together. And if yet larger stacks should be wanted, a turret with a greater number of pockets could be built. We build the inner micadistributin`.e` turret 15 to be crumble of replacement by one of greater number of pockets and provided with the necessary number of mica transferring and distributing devices B.

To practise the invention we construct a frame 12. Figures and 3. to support the outer turret 13. which has the pockets 14. and around which the various necessary devices are successively situated above n'ientioued. The turret 15 is rotatably fmunted concentrically within the turret 13. and the pockets 16 of the turret 15 have ica sheet guide slots 16a, the purpose of which will. later be set forth.

For operating the larger turret 13 there is mounted on base 12 a series of brackets which carry bearings for supporting various rotating shafts. ln bracket 17. at the left of Figure 2` there is shown a shaft l?? upon which is pinned a bevel r 20. On the vertical shaft 21 located in frame 12 there is tixedly mounted a. bevel gear 22 meshing with the bevel gear 20. As this shaft 21 rotates it carries with it the driving crank 23, shown fully in Figure 3, which rotates the six faced star wheel 24 fixed to the shaft 25, forming a Geneva combination7 as is well understood in the art. Both shafts 21 and 25 are mounted in bearings fixed in the base 12. To the upper end of sha tt there is keyed the spur gear 2G which meshes with another spur gear 27, the latter gear having double the number of teeth of gear 26. The gear 27 rotates freely around a hub 28, which is integral ywith the inner turret 15. To the hub of gear 27 lthere is keyed a gear 2f) (under the gear 27) 'to mesh with gear 30 loosely mounted on shaft To the hub of said gear 3() there is keyed a gear 31 (under gear 30) to mesh with a gear loosely mounted on the hub 28. To the hub of gear 32 there is keyed a bevel gear 33 (under gear 32) which meshes'withy a bevel gear 36, mounted lixedly on shaft 37 rotating on bearing supports 38 and 39 in the base 12, at the right oit' Figure At the opposite end of said shaft 37 there is fixedly mounted a bevel gear 4() meshing with and rotating a circular gear 41 under and around and integral with the inner peripheryof the ringlike body of the turret 13.

On the left end of shaft 18 by Which the above described train of gears and turret 13 are driven, there is txedly mounted anelectric motor Ma. t the control ofwhich will be described later) to operate the shaft 18 and gear train.

In the center and integral with the base 12 is located a fixed vertical bearing 12a, into a recess of which is set an annularhall-bearing 34. The hub 28 passes through this bearing` and rests on ball-bearing 34 by means-0f a shoulder This hub contains the shaft 35 extending upwardly and rotating freely within hub :28. This shaft 35 has a shoulder 35a engaging and resting on a simi-larshoulder in the hub 28. On the top of the turret 15 is fixed a disk 43 having two'gear sectors 44 shown in dotted lines in Figure 4. iOn a pin 45 supported by a bracket 46 attached to a fixed part or wall 9() to be mentioned later, there is pivotally mounted on a gear segment 47 which meshes with the sectors 44. Segment 47 is linked to an oscillating dise 51, loosely supported by shaft 35, it may rest loosely on a collar .surrounding shaft 35), by means of an arm 48. a pin 49, a link50 and a pin 50. Then either one of the gear segments 44 gets out of mesh with the gear segment 47 on one periodical revolution of the disk 43 in the direction of the arrow, Figure 4. the disc 51 is instantly pulled back in the direction opposite to the arrow by means of a spring 51 attached by one end to a pin 52 under disc 51 and attached by the other end to the opposite part of one micasheet distributing device or trough B, returning segment 47 and link 50 into the position as shown by the dash and dot lines.

It is this periodical oscillating swing of the disc 51, the control of which will be described further on, which sets the motor Ma in intermittent operation at the end of each oscillation. This result is obtained by means of a bracket 53 of insulating material fastened upon the rim of disc 51, as shown in Figure On the bracket 53 is fixedly attached and extending downwardly a vertical spring metal blade 53. On a radially extending portion of each bracket 46 and 46a. the latter, (with spring 51), being attached to one part 90 there are fixed two insulated upwardly extending spring metal blades S and S. Spring blades S` of brackets 46 and 46 are connected by wires W to one commutate-r brush of the motor Ma. Blades S are cor.- nected by other wires W to one side of the source of power p, the other side of which is connected to the other commutator brush of the motor Ma.. As shown in Figure 4 the downwardly extending spring metal blade 53 is in contact with spring blades S and S of bracket 46; bridging the gap between these blades and thus closing the electric current from the source of power through motor Ma.

The duration of the circuit closing contact of blade 53 with blades S and S is only long enough to give one single revolution to the driving crank 23 and thus, as is understood, to advance turret 13 one step, or one twentyfourth of one complete revolution. At the izfoment when this step is accomplished, the segment 44 which has been in mesh with segment 47, gets out of mesh, and disc 51 is pulled backwards, as above explained` and spring blade 53 breaks the/electric circuit through spring blades S and.S of bracket 46, but immediately afterwards re-establishcs the said circuit through spring blades S and S of bracket 46a. The duration of the circuit closing through these latter blades S and S is of the same length as in the former and also only to give turret 13 another step forward of one twenty-fourth revolution, but the return of spring-blade 53 to contact now again with spring blades S an d S of bracket 46 is considerably slower as will be explained further on.

Following is the operation of the apparatus thus far described. As the electric motor Ma is made to rotate it causes gear Q on the same shaft also to rotate. Gear 22 in mesh with gear actuates the Geneva movement 23-24 to cause an intermittent six step progression. This intermittent movement is transmitted by shaft 25 to gear Q6 which iricslei with gear Q7 to cause the latter to make one-twelfth of a revolution for each turn of the gear 22. Since gear Q9 is one-half the diameter of gear 30. it decreases the ratio to one twenty-fourth. Consequently, through gears 31 and 32 of equal diameter, gear 33 moves in a progression of steps of which twenty-four complete a revolution. Thus the turret 13, through gears 36, and 41, is caused to make a complete turn of twentyfour steps for each. revolution of twenty-four steps of gear 33.

Another type of mechanism for producing one revolution of the shaft 21 for every swing in one direction of the disk 51, is illustrated in Figure 3A. To this end, the brackets 53, together with the contact plate 53 and the contact tongues SS are omitted, and the disk 51 is provided on its circumference with a cam 51. Engaging the periphery of the disk 51 is a push bar 300 resting upon a support 301 and arranged te slide through a bearing 30:2 on said support. The other end of this bar has a pin which engages a slot in the upper end of a lever 304 mounted upon a ournal or pivot 305. To the lower end of this lever is attached a tension spring 306 anchored to any suitable fixed support indicated at 307; t is i 'ing action to keep. one end of the push bar 300 pressed against the periphery of the disk 51. The lower end of this lever 304 is also slotted and pinned at 303 to a bar 309, pivotally connected at its opposite end to an arm 310 mounted to swing loosely on a shaft 21a. The gear 22 and motor together with the shaft 13, pinion Q0, source of current 71. and ires lV and W are dispensed with. Fixed to the shaft 21a is ratchet wheel 311. The arm 310 also carries a one-way pawl 312 to engage the gear 311 and abutting a stop 313 on the arm 310; being pressed thereagainst by a spring 314. On the shaft 21 is a gear 315 meshing with a gear 316 on the shaft 21 carrying the crank Q3.

TWith this apparatus, whenever the disk 51 swings the cam to the right, for instance, so as to make the adjacent end of the bar 300 ride over the nose of the cam 51?, the arm 310 is actuated in such a way as to make the pawl turn the gear 311 and the shaft 21a, also the shaft 21, through the gears 315 and 310; and the parts will, of course, he so designed as to make the shaft 21 rotate, as before, a complete revolution for each throw of the bar 309 and arm 310. As soon as the cam rides past the har 300. the spring 306 will, of course, pull back the bar 300 without reverse movement of the gear 11, and the shaft Q1, because the pawl will simply slip over the gear 311. Vv'hen the disk moves in the reverse direction under the influence of the sil'iring 51, the crank will again be advanced one revolution. lf desired, the shaft Q1 maj: also have 'fixed thereon a ratchet wheel 317 to be engaged by a spring pawl 313, to prevent reveise movement of the shaft 21 and crank 23 when the arm 310 carries the pawl 312 backward over the gear 311.

ln this way, the disk 51 is made to oscillate as before and each oscillation in either direction Will produce a complete rotation OI' the crank 23, acting through the gear train above described, to turn the turret 13.

It will also be noticed that, with the motor and electrical connections for effecting rotation of the gear the lev r 48 aai link 50 connecting the segment 3l, together make such an angle with each other that when the disk 51 moves in the direc tion of the arrow shown in Figure 4, the iinai stages of the movement of the segment 47, when actuated by one of the gear segments 44, do not carry the disk 51 very much further. Hence, when the plate 53 hri the con tact SS, further movement of ne segment 47, though this further movement of the segment itself may be through an are of some extent, does not result in carrying the plate 53 beyond the contacts SS; but instead, such further movement only acts to press this plate 53 more firmly against the contacts Sci and these contacts may bemade of such material that they yieldl somewhat under such circumstances and thus the circuit through the motor remains closed long enough to malte one coniplete revolution of the shaft 21. The circuit is closed for a period of equal lei t disk 51 is drawn back by the A cause the blade 53 to close the circo the other two pair of cortact tin Turret 15, as explained, rests hy n'ieans'fi of a shoulder or collar 35 of its huh sleeve 8 on thrust-ball-bearing This sleeve extends downwardly through the fixed vertical lfearing 12a of base 12. Under the journal and on the end of the sleeve 28 there is keyed a worinwheel 28a which is actuated by a` worm 23'. iixedly mounted on a shaft 28C. The drive of this shaft is explained below. The rotation of the turret 15 of course causes rotation of the disk 43, and the turret 15 turns in a direction opposite to that of turret 13.

Around the periphery of the turret 13 and located on a circular platform P forming the upper part of base 12. supported by inclined brackets 13a proceeding from the main frame 12 are the various assembling devices shown diagrammatically in Figure 1. he operation of each of these devices will be tali* en up in the order of the assembling of the condenser. The first step consists of the insertion of an insulating cover-plate See Figures 11 and 12 which best explain this op eration. A long bal-:elite strip of the A roper Width is passed between friction rollers 55 and 56 supported on hrackets 13") cf;- tcnding from platform P: this device being indicated at D in Figure 1. The upper friction roll 55 is driven by belt 57 from a loose pulley 58 on shaft 59 having at one end thereof a pressure clutch spring a Gu the same shaft there is mounted a cam 60 for actuating a plunger 61 which is hel-fl out of operative position by spring means 61a. `When the ective face of the cam 60 comes in contact with the plunger' 61 the punches 62 and 62 carried on the lower recessed face of the plunger are forced into suitable openings in die block 63, while a knife edge 64, also on the lower face of the plunger at the proper position to cut offa suitable length, is simultaneously operated. Uf course, the end of the strip 54 is punched first and the strip is then pushed in further to allow the perforated end to be cut olf by the knife edge 64.

During the punching operation the bakelte strip 54 is held stationary, its eXtreme ge abutting against the lower end of the emovable fixed guide blade 61". As roller .3 is driven by the frictional clutch 58at on shaft 59. its effect on the momentarily ionary bakelite strip 54 becomes therefore practically nil during the stop, but its grip on the said strip is instantaneously eff' tive t ie moment punch 61 has risen above the strip. Un each down-stroke the plunger 61 cuis off the punched end of the strip 54 and punches the adjacent portion. The cam is diiven through a pulley which is in turn d f1 as required from a source of power siown. The punched and sheared bakelite plate, the holes of which have been made previously by punches 62 and 62', is pressed into a receptacle 14 of the turret 13 upon completion of the action of the cutting edge 64. rSub.'-11equently the receptacle 14 is moved to the next following position by the co-action of gear 40,Figure Q,with the teeth of the circular rack 41 on the turret 13. The spring 59l presses on the pulley 58 to make the clutch 58 effective. The shaft 59 must be driven in step with the movement of the turret 13y so that the cam 60 can operate atthe proper instant to cut off a piece of perforated bakelitc and deposit it in one of the pockets 14. To secure proper timing of the shaft 59 and cam 60, the pulley 65 should preferably be a toothed pulley or sprocket to receive.` a chain which is driven from some part of theapparatus connected to the rotating turret 13` or the rotating turret 15. For example, by reference to Figure 2 it can be seen that the shaft 59 can very easily be driven by gearing dirr tily connected to the turret 15 or to the gear 27, the shaft 37 or any other rotating pari, the driving mechanism for this shaft 59 loeinfg;` so designed that it will rotate Yat the exact speed required, relative to the rate of niclion of the outer turret 15.

y'l i:- neXt succeeding step consists in the insertion of a mica sheet on top of the piece of bakclite just punched and laid into the .ocket 14, and now being progressively carried under the various mica distributors B and the tinfoil punch devices arranged'above the turret 13. This operation, which is shown in Figures 7 to 14, is however, preceded by the operation shown in Figures 5 and 6.

l Aca sheets of the correct size and rectangular shape and having suitable holes therein for the passage of eyelets therethrough, are fed by hand between rollers 66, 67, 68 and 69 o't the mica sheet selector apparatus denoted by A in Figure 1. T hcw` rollers constitute a thickness-testing` mechanism with other parts which will now be dcscribed. This testing mechanism comprises rollers, 66, 67, 68 and 69, a system ot multiplying levers 80, two bridges 75 and 77 for the passage ot' the mica sheets, and a conveyor 81 for carrying the tested micas into the distributing turret 15. .ln the trame 78 are formed a pair of receptacles or bins 85 and 87. Un bearings at the top of the iframe 73 is mounted for rotation the roller 66, which is the only one of the tour rollers shown, and is rotatably fixed in position. The oth rollers are floating, 68 and 69 being mounted on levers 71, and 67 being mounted on levers 74. Levers 71 are shown pivoted on the frame at 72 and levers 75l. are pivoted on a stil-ruil; 79 hung as shown irom levers 71 much in the manner commonly used in weighing scales. By this arrangement it will be seen that ii ther rollers 67 and 68 are forced apart as by the passage of a mica of too great a thickness. that the levers 71 will move up ard while the levers 74 will move downward and whereas the motion of the rollers may be mea-:ured in thousandths ot' an inch the multiplied motion of the ends of the levers may be considerably greater.

This separating motion of the levers moves upward links 8()c and moves downward links 80h. Now as is shown, these two links are attached to levers 8Oa and consequently these levers will be given an extensive angular motion in a counter-clockwise direction. Links 82 attached to end ot' levers 80"I will then be drawn upward a distance which will be ot the order of one hundred or more times the distance that the rollers have been separated by the mica. Links 82 are connected to operate the bridges 75 and 77, which will now be described. Bridge 75 is pivoted on the frame 78 at 83 and when in its lowermost position (as shown in Figure 5) permits a mica proceeding from the roller system to slide over it to conveyor 81. It is equipped at each side with a downwardly projecting lug 76 which is adapted to co-act with a pin 86 on a bell crank 86a. Bridge 77 is pivoted at 78 on the frame 73 and in its lowermost position permits a mica (provided bridge 75 has been raised out ol the way) to descend directly into the bin 87. On each side of bridge 77 is a bell crank 86a rotatably mounted on pins 78 and carrying the pins 86 to engage lugs 76. The trame 73 is open at the top where the movable bridges 75 and 77 are placed. The composite action of the above described parts is as follows: When a mica of the predetermined thickness passes through the rollers 66, 67, 68 and 69 the bridges 75 and 77 remain as shown in Figure 5 and the mica passes over bridge 75 to the conveyor 81 which catches it on one of the portions 81a and drives it along by means ot one of the projections 81b until it is iinally pushed into the guides 16 on the turret 15. If the mica is ot too great a thickness then the rollers 67 and 68 are forced apart and the levers act to pull up the links 82. These links by means of the pins 8l mounted thereon and passing through levers 86a pull up the bridge 77 which pushes ahead of it the bridge 75. Both bridges being up, the mica is led downward under bridge 77 into the rontainer 85. It, on the other hand the mica be too thin the rollers 67 and 68 approach each other, the levers multiply the inovement and push downward the links 82, pins 84 turn the bellcranks 86a and pins 86 push against the lugs 76 under the bridge 75, which is thereby caused to rise. Thus the mica passes below bridge 75 and above bridge 77 into the bin 87. In order that micas may be properly positioned in the carrier spaces 81., two levers 81C supporta roller 81D which is adapted to regulate the disposing of the mica sheets on the conveyor 81. The speed of conveyor 81 is correlated to that ot the rollers 66, 67, 68 and 69. so that successive mica sheets 189 will necessarily fall into successive spaces 81a ot the tonveyor the mica is fed by hand into the rollers 66, 67, 68 and 69. The roller 81D acts to prevent more than one oi the mica sheets gettimr` into each space 81fl at a time, as will be understood, and must be far enough to the right (Figures 5 and 6) for the purpose. Als shown in Figures 5 and 6, the rollers 66. 67, 68, 69 and 70 are (.riven by a gear and a pulley '701 and one of the drums 88 may bc connected directly to the gear 70 to be timed to move the belt at exact relative speed. Pins 78 and 83 project from the inside surface of the frame 78 and levers 86 are inside this trame, but links 82 are external to the Jframe and the pins 84 project through slots 82 :n the frame to the interior thereof.

The mica sheets are fed by the conveyor 81 into pockets 16 of turret 15, one mica sheet into the pocket at the end ot the conveyor, the succeeding mica sheets into the following pocket 16, as the turret revolves, and so on. This means that the rotating speed of turret 15 must be so regulated that it will always lpresent an empty pocket 16 at the end et conveyor 81 at the moment a mica sheet about to be pushed oil the conveyor into the said pocket.

To obtain this perfect correlation, the longitudinal table T over which slides the upper part of the conveyor belt 8l, and which is supported by brackets 7 3a and 73h, that are adjustably fixed on the main frame 73 and that also support both drums 88 and 88 supporting and driving the conveyor belt 81, is provided at its delivery end, (Figure 5B and Figure 6,) with a yoke 89 havingl two upright arms 89a and 891. Across and 

